Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Oct 1993

Vol. 435 No. 2

Written Answers. - County Mayo School Transport.

Jim Higgins

Question:

96 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself that the school transport arrangements for children from Treenkeel, Kiltimagh, County Mayo, are adequate in terms of the early collection times and the fact that five-year-old children travel with 18-year-old post-primary students.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

In organising school transport services, Bus Eireann plan routes in such a way as to secure that, as far as possible, every eligible pupil has a reasonable standard of service from the point of view of time-table, while, at the same time, ensuring that vehicles are fully utilised in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. In order to do this, individual vehicles are generally required to operate a number of trips to schools and, consequently, some pupils may have some waiting time. Such an arrangement applies in this case.

The bus in question makes two trips in the mornings, as follows:

First trip — 56 post-primary pupils from Kilkelly area. First pick-up at 7.50 a.m. Arrives at Kiltimagh PPC at 8.15 a.m.

Second trip — 20 post-primary from Kinnaffe and 55 primary pupils from Treenkeel areas. The first pick-up of the primary school children is at 8.27 a.m. They arrive at Kiltimagh NS at 9.02 a.m.

There are three trips in the afternoon, with the first of three carrying the primary school pupils only, because of their earlier finishing time.

I am satisfied that the standard of service from the Treenkeel area is on a par with that available in other areas throughout the country. I understand that the majority of parents and the school authorities are satisfied with the present arrangement.